Core Viewpoint - Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, has invested $4.3 billion in Google stocks and continues to reduce its holdings in Apple, marking a significant investment shift before Buffett's retirement at the end of the year [2][4]. Investment Strategy - The latest investment makes Alphabet, Google's parent company, the tenth largest holding in Berkshire, while Apple remains the largest [4]. - Buffett's investment in Google contrasts with his traditional value investing approach, as he typically avoids high-growth companies [4]. - The investment reflects a shift in Berkshire's strategy to adapt to the rapid growth of U.S. tech companies [4]. Market Performance - Following the disclosure of Berkshire's holdings, Google's stock surged over 4% in after-hours trading, with a year-to-date increase of over 46%, outpacing Nvidia's nearly 42% rise and Apple's less than 9% increase [4]. - Google's recent quarterly revenue reached a record $100 billion, highlighting its strong position in the artificial intelligence market [4]. Apple Holdings - In Q3, Buffett sold approximately $11 billion worth of Apple shares, marking the second consecutive quarter of reduction, with remaining Apple holdings valued at about $61 billion [5]. - Buffett has sold over two-thirds of his Apple shares since 2023, securing substantial profits from his initial investment in 2016 [5]. - Berkshire's other major holdings include American Express, Bank of America, and Coca-Cola, with no significant changes in these positions [5]. Leadership Transition - Buffett announced plans to step back from public life and will retire as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by the end of the year, with Greg Abel set to succeed him on January 1 [5]. - Concurrently, Apple is preparing for a leadership transition as CEO Tim Cook, who has led the company for over 14 years, may step down as early as next year [6].